Question

Does our universe have an edge? if yes. Explain

Answer 1

i dont think our universe really have an edge...

Answer 2

if we look on it practically as we know the universe is expanding and the edge of the universe depends on that expansion we can say that the edge of the universe is continuously changing and also the edge depends upon the shape of space matrix all around but still as we know dark energy is responsible for expansion so it depends on the behaviour of dark energy as if it obeys the law of conservation of energy then the rate of expansion of the universe would be exactly same everywhere and hence every part would expand in a symmetrical way now if we consider the whole universe as a large system with conserved energy then its orignal shape must be spherical and hence we can say the universe is expanding in spherical symmetry so it will have no edge

Answer 3

i kinda have to wonder what defines an "edge" for the universe

Answer 4

if multiverse' exist then no universe may have an edge

Answer 5

If considering the universe a sphere in totality,then i guess the universe wouldnt have an edge.Just like earth....And any mass in space tries to occupy minimum volume,so i guess the universe is pretty much a sphere.

Answer 6

Its not a perfect analogy though, more of a metaphor I think. If the universe was a true sphere then traveling in one direction I would eventually get back to where I started, which I don't believe is the case.

Answer 7

the answer to this question would depend on how you define "universe". if by "universe" u mean the observable universe , then the answer would be a yes . the observable universe is quite understandably expanding (or its edge is moving away) at the speed of light. if you are talking about the complete "universe" (which is not very well defined) , recent experiments have shown that its topography is more or less flat(and which implies it is endlessly extending). moreover, you may involve the concept of multiverses which will make the topic even less specific and less answerable. so, all in all it depends on what you mean by the term "universe"

Answer 8

paarth what do we mean by complete universe? is it a multiverse?

Answer 9

that's what i said. it is not defined and, probably, will never be. so for all practical purposes ( which won't be very much practical in the present or the near future)we can use the observable universe which, yes, does have an edge expanding at the speed of light.

Answer 10

No.

Answer 11

universe have an edge as its just asystem having limited energy.

Answer 12

@009infinity how are you defining 'edge?'

Answer 13

it is expanding till now but its edge is expanding with a constant rate.

Answer 14

If universe began from a point and immediately after big-bang began to expand and is expanding, it must have an edge..
Saying that something which 'doesn't have edge' is expanding doesn't make sense at all..
So. if you say the universe is expanding you must say that it has an edge which is expanding along with its expansion!

But that's too classical and simple explanation.. maybe it isn't that simple.. but that's what i think!

Answer 15

@009 you mean the edge of the observable universe, the light horizon, not the actual universe itself.

Answer 16

@ujjwal that misconception comes from thinking that the universe is expanding into empty space, but all space (empty or not) is within the universe.

Answer 17

its ur misconception @CliffSedge as energy creates space and time and definetly space is within the universe.